Diaper pack

ABSTRACT

A circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories includes, a longitudinally extending compartment array forming an interior portion and an exterior portion, at least one outwardly oriented exterior compartment formed from the exterior portion, and at least one coupling mechanism extending from the longitudinally extending compartment array for disposing the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus about a member. The interior portion and the exterior portion embrace a semi-rigid lining for securing accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to diaper packs. In particular, the present invention relates to diaper packs that may optionally secure to a wearer in a multitude of ways.

2. Description of Related Art

Diaper packs offer a wide variety of advantages to both mothers and children alike. Diaper packs provide storage for various accessories, organization of children's items, and provide access to a wide variety of infant needs, including diapers. Most often, diaper bags include a strap for securing the diaper bag over an individual's shoulder.

While these devices to provide temporary storage for childrens' accessories, they are cumbersome. With infant children, and especially babies, it is difficult to monitor the child while removing various accessories from the bag. Often the infant has to be placed on a high surface, then the person carrying the diaper bag has to place the diaper bag on a surface, the diaper bag needs to be unfurled, and the person has to dig through the diaper bag all while monitoring the child. In certain situations, this is very unsafe, as attention is distracted from the child while various accessories are accessed, and both hands may be busy at dangerous times. In addition, most diaper packs require the user to place items to be used on a surface before they are ready to be used, which can often be unsanitary and cumbersome.

Thus, there exists a need for a diaper bag that is easily accessible, near a person's body, and provides minimal distraction from the infant, while various diapering items are accessed and replaced with one hand so that the other may hold an infant, if needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate side of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another side of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate perspective view of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate view of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories, depicted in the previous Figures while having an exterior compartment open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present application. Circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 includes a longitudinally extending compartment array 12 forming an interior portion and an exterior portion 16. An outwardly oriented exterior compartment 20 is formed from the exterior portion 16. A coupling mechanism extends from longitudinally extending compartment array 12 to dispose circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 about a member. Additionally, the interior portion and the exterior portion 12 embrace a semi-rigid lining to secure accessories.

In this particular embodiment, outwardly oriented exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d along with interior compartment 20c which include pocket portions 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d and flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d. Pocket portions 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, and 22 d along with flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d each optionally include magnets disposed about an edge. Outwardly oriented exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d along with interior compartment 20 c may be elasticized in order to frictionally secure an accessory. A semi-rigid lining for securing an accessory is disposed about interior compartment 20 c. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the accessory may be pre-moistened wipes. One or more elastic components are operatively associated with interior compartment 20 c. In a preferred embodiment, one or more accessories, such as a one or more pre-moisted wipes, optionally included within a container, may be frictionally disposed between one or more elastic components and a semi-rigid lining. One or more elastic components may span the longitudinal distance of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, and may be positioned in pairs or series. In a preferred embodiment, one or more elastic components may be positioned in a fashion that secures along a side of a pre-moistened wipe container. The one or more elastic components may secure the pre-moistened wipe container to the interior of a pocket.

Exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d along with interior compartment 20 c may be considered as substantially square shaped and opens along top via flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d. In alternative embodiments pocket portions 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d as wells as flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d may include hooks, clasps, snaps, or hook and pile material for coupling purposes.

In this particular embodiment, exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d, along with interior compartment 20 c are formed along exterior portion 16. Exterior compartments 20 a and 20 b are formed along opposing sides, while exterior compartment 20 d and interior compartment 20 c are formed along another side. Interior compartment 20 c appears positioned slightly above exterior compartment 20 d. Exterior compartments 20 a and 20 b are positioned slightly above interior compartment 20 c and begin along a bottom edge of the bag. In a preferred embodiment, exterior compartment 20 d may function as a cell phone or tissue compartment. Flap portions 24 a and 24 b extend from the upper most edges of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10, while flap portions 24 c and 24 d extend from slightly lower positions of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10. Flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 d extend to approximately half the length of exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d. Flap portion 24 c extends to less than the full length of interior compartment 20 c.

In alternative embodiments, any number of exterior compartments may be included and may arise from any side at any location of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10. For example, in an alternative embodiment, exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, 20 d, and interior compartment 20 c may be located on a single side of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10. In another embodiment, interior compartment 20 c may be located along an upper most side of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10, while exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d are located along the same side but at successively lower intervals. In yet another embodiment, exterior compartments 20 a, 20 b, and 20 d, along with interior compartment 20 c, may be located along opposing sides of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10. For example compartments 20 a and 20 b may be oppose one another while compartments 20 c and 20 d oppose one another and yet none of the compartments share a common side.

Further each of compartments 20 a, 20 b, or 20 d may be any length and of width along any side of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10. For example compartment 20 a may extend from the upper most portion of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 to one-third the length of a side and may optionally span the entire width. Compartment 20 b, could be located below compartment 20 b, extending another one-third the length, but only span one-half the width of a side of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10.

Additionally, in yet alternative embodiments, compartments 20 may open at any angle, and may take any shape. For example, compartments 20 appear to be substantially rectangular in the illustrated embodiment in that they can be considered to have four sides. However, in alternative embodiments, compartments 20 may take other shapes such as being substantially rounded on the bottom, having only three sides and thus being substantially triangular, or have any number of sides, so long as one side is capable of receiving a component so that compartments 20 may function.

Pockets may also open from any direction. In the preferred embodiment, compartments 20 open along the sides in a manner that employs gravity to keep an item within compartment 20, when a flap portion is not covering it. However, in alternative embodiments, pockets 20 may open from a side that does not employ gravity to keep an item within compartment 20. For example, pockets 20 may open from the top as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively pockets 20 may open from the bottom or sides, in an alternative embodiment.

Additionally, in alternative embodiments flap portions 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24d, may be of any length and extend to any depth. For example in an alternative embodiment, flap portion 24 d may only extend to half the length of pocket 20 d. Similarly, in yet another embodiment, flap portions 24 a and 24 b may extend to the full length of pockets 20 a and 20 b. Still in yet other embodiments, flap portions 24 may extend beyond the length of pockets 20. Any of flap portions 24 may extend to any length of pocket portions 20, including, but not limited any fractional portion of to 1/10^(th), ⅕^(th), 3/10^(ths), ⅖^(ths), ½, 3/10^(ths), 7/10^(ths), ⅘^(ths), 9/10^(th) the length of pocket portion 20, ⅕^(th) the length of pocket portion 20. ⅓^(rd) the length of pocket half depth, full depth, etc. Bifurcated flap portions, multiple flap portions on single pockets, flap portions extending from sides and bottoms of pockets may all be employed in alternative embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an alternate side of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10, as shown in FIG. 1 is depicted. In this particular embodiment, the longitudinally extending compartment array 12 includes at least three top faced compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c. Top faced compartment 26 a is capable of storing almost any brand of pre-moisted wipes with a top-opening flap, which can be accessed through 20 c. At least one of the other two top faced compartments 26 b or 26 c is capable of storing a changing pad and another of the top faced compartments 26 b, 26 c is capable of storing at least three disposable diapers or one or more cloth diapers. In an alternative embodiment, top faced compartments 26 a, 26 b, or 26 c may store any variety of accessories, including a changing pad, diapers, snacks, parental accessories, and other accessories of the like. As is shown zippers extend along the length of each of top faced compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c. Included along a side of FIG. 2 are coupling mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment of the present application, semi-rigid inserts may be placed between compartments 26 a and 26 b to stabilize the wipes.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may either individually, or in combination open, in an orthogonal direction. For example compartment 26 a may open in a direction perpendicular to the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, while 26 b and 26 c may open in a direction parallel to the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

Additionally, in alternative embodiments, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may form openings to form one, two or even three separate compartments. In the present application, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c all form separate longitudinal compartments, however, in alternative embodiments, two of three compartments may be share a same opening. For example, though three coupling mechanisms form three separate compartments in the present invention, it is possible that in alternative embodiments two coupling mechanisms may be used to access compartment 26 a, while compartments 26 b and 26 c are accessed by separate coupling mechanisms.

Furthermore, longitudinally extending compartment array 12 may have more than three compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c in alternative embodiments. For example longitudinally extending compartment array 12 may include four, five, or six compartments in alternative embodiments any of which may open in any direction. In an alternative embodiment, compartments 26 a and 26 b may open along the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, while compartment 26 c and any additional compartments may open perpendicular to the direction of compartments of 26 a and 2 b. Furthermore, in yet other embodiments compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may extend to different lengths than one another. For example compartments 26 a and 26 b may extend to the same length as one another, while compartment 26 c extends to a shorter or longer length. Additionally, in yet other embodiments compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may all extend to different lengths than one another. In one embodiment compartment 26 a may extend to a length that is one-third the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, while compartment 26 b extends to a length that is one-fourth the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, and compartment 26 c may extend to a length that is fifty-eight one hundredths the length of longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

In the present application, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c open along a top face and appear to be constrained to opening along that face. However, in alternative embodiments, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may open both along the top face and other faces as well. For example, in an alternative embodiment, compartments 26 a, 26 b and 26 c may extend to open along a side of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. In yet alternative embodiments compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c may all open along multiple sides of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. It is further possible, that in still other embodiments, only one of the compartments such as 26 a may extend and open along only one portion of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, such as the top, while compartments 26 b and 26 c, extend to both or only one side of longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

Also, in the present application, though compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c, all appear using coupling mechanisms, such as zippers, it is possible that in alternative embodiments, compartments 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c either individually or as a group may open using any other coupling mechanism, such as hooks, clasps, snaps, or hook and pile material. For example, in an alternative embodiment compartment 26 a may employ a zipper for opening and closing, while compartment 26 b uses snaps for opening and closing, and yet compartment 26 c uses hook and pile material for opening and closing.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of another side of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted. Coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d are employed for attaching at least one strap. In the preferred embodiment, coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d are snaps. D-rings 30 a and 30 b for may be employed to attach the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories to a member, or optionally, a strap. Coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d are attached to webbing which may be used for attaching the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 to a wearer's belt. Additionally depicted is a cord 32 for elastically securing an accessory against the exterior portion 16. In an alternative embodiment, the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 also includes at least two card sized credit card sized pockets.

Also, coupling mechanisms 28 a and 28 b are positioned to oppose one another, in such a manner that they may join together, and bind a mechanism. Coupling mechanisms 28 c and 28 d are similarly positioned. Coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d are all located along the same side, and are spaced offset from an adjacent side of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Coupling mechanisms 28 b and 28 d are positioned parallel from one another relative to the top of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. When longitudinally extending compartment array 12 is suspended, coupling mechanisms 28 a and 28 c may also be considered to extend in a position parallel to one another, relative to the top of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. In alternative embodiments more than four coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d may be employed and may be positioned in various locations along various faces of longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

For example, in an alternative embodiment, coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d may be positioned slightly lower than their current location, i.e. in a middle position in which they are centered about the longitude of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. In yet another alternative embodiment, coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d may be positioned in slightly lower than their current location, in a bottom position in which they are centered about the longitude of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Additionally coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d, may fasten in an opposing manner, such that coupling mechanisms 28 b and 28 d are disposed on the surface of longitudinally extending compartment array 12, while coupling mechanisms 28 a and 28 c extend from straps.

In alternative embodiments, additional coupling mechanisms may be employed in various patterns. For example, an opposing set of coupling mechanisms may be located parallel to coupling mechanisms 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, and 28 d and straps may be placed between both sets to create a backpack or other type of device out of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Coupling mechanisms may be placed in a different array to accommodate various functions of wearing longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

D-Rings 30 a and 30 b may also be arranged in alternative orientations and arrangements. In FIG. 3, D-rings 30 a and 30 b may be considered as extending from the top of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. In an alternative embodiment D-rings 30 a and 30 b may extend from opposite sides of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Additionally, more than two D-rings may be employed in alternative embodiments. For example, in alternative embodiments four, six, or eight, or any number of D-Rings may extend from the side of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Furthermore in yet other embodiments, additional D-Rings may extend from a lower position of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. In still other embodiments, D-Rings may also be affixed directly to longitudinally extending compartment array 12, rather than coupled to longitudinally extending compartment array 12 via straps.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate perspective view of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is shown. As depicted in FIG. 4, a cord 32 extends along the bottom most side of longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Though the illustration depicts a cord 32 extending in parallel along the bottom most side, cord 32 can take various forms. Accordingly, cord 32 may be employed in a webbed like fashion for coupling multiple items to longitudinally extending compartment array 12. For example, a hat, or other device capable of receiving cord 32, can be coupled to longitudinally extending compartment array 12, by threading cord 32 through an opening, while at the same time, cord 32 can be arranged in a web-like fashion to constrain the item to the bag through exerting tension between cord 32 and longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Tension can be applied or released from cord 32 via clasping mechanism 34. In order to restrain an item to longitudinally extending compartment array 12. Clasping mechanism 34 can be used to retain or release tension within cord 32, depending on the size and weight of the item needing to be retained by cord 32. If an item is heavier, a larger amount of tension may be required to couple the item to longitudinally extending compartment array 12.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternate view of the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10, depicted in previous illustrations having interior compartment 20 c exposed is illustrated. Accordingly, an accessory may be disposed within interior compartment 20 c. As is shown, an accessory can be disposed within the interior of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 and accessed through interior compartment 20 c. Flap portion 24 c of interior compartment 20 c may be released from its fasteners for exposing pre-moistened wipes. It should be understood, that in an alternative embodiment an array of alternative fasteners may be employed for coupling flaps to exterior and interior compartments. For example, snaps, zippers, hooks, buttons, seals, and hook and pile material may be employed for closing the top of interior compartment 20 c.

In operation, a wearer may employ circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 through attaching to a waist. As an accessory needs to be accessed, the wearer may place an infant on a surface, and with one hand, access various items located within circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10, all while maintaining control of the infant with another hand, without the necessity of placing any item to be used (apart from a changing pad) on any other surface. The wearer may access interior compartment 20 c, by releasing flap portion 24 c and removing a pre-moistened wipe, using only one hand. The wearer may then remove a pre-moistened wipe from interior compartment 20 c, while the pre-moistened wipe container is restrained from moving via disposal between a semi-rigid liner and one or more straps. The wearer may then remove diaper cream, if necessary, from another pocket, and replace it after using without the necessity of placing the diaper cream on any other surface. The wearer may then remove a diaper from another compartment and make any adjustments to the infant as necessary. A changing pad, if used, may also be placed back into another pocket while the infant is held by the user.

The components of circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 may be made from a wide variety of materials including cloth, leather, metallic or non-metallic, magnetic or non-magnetic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric, malleable or non-malleable materials, or any mixture thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and the like. The metals may be selected from one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate and combinations thereof, among other plastics. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories 10 and its various components may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereof to form the required pieces for assembly.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus for storing infant accessories comprising: a longitudinally extending compartment array forming an interior portion and an exterior portion; at least one outwardly oriented exterior compartment formed from the exterior portion; and at least one coupling mechanism extending from the longitudinally extending compartment array for disposing the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus about a member; wherein the interior portion and the exterior portion embrace a semi-rigid lining for securing accessories.
 2. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 1, the at least one outwardly oriented exterior compartment further comprising a pocket portion and a flap portion, the pocket portion and the flap portion each having magnets disposed about an edge.
 3. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the outwardly oriented exterior compartments is an open faced pocket for storing an accessory.
 4. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the outwardly oriented exterior compartments is semi-rigid to frictionally secure an accessory.
 5. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending compartment array includes at least three top faced compartments.
 6. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing a changing pad, another of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing three or more disposable diapers, and another of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing one or more pre-moistened wipes.
 7. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing a changing pad, another of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing one or more cloth diapers diapers, and another of the three top faced compartments is capable of storing one or more pre-moistened wipes.
 8. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least two card sized credit card sized pockets.
 9. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a least four coupling mechanisms for attaching at least one strap.
 10. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least two D-rings for coupling mechanisms for attaching the circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus to a member.
 11. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, further comprising webbing for attaching to a wearer's belt via snaps.
 12. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a cord for elastically securing an accessory against the exterior portion.
 13. The circumferentially mountable semi-rigid apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one semi-rigid liner distinguishes at least one compartment for further retaining an accessory disposed along at the at least one semi-rigid liner. 